Method and system for intelligent routing of insights

ABSTRACT

A method for providing insights based on merchant bidding includes: storing a plurality of transaction data entries, each including a merchant identifier and transaction data; receiving merchant bids, each being received from a different merchant and including a bid amount and corresponding merchant identifier; identifying a transaction metric based on the transaction data included in each transaction data entry; identifying a propensity to transact for each corresponding merchant identifier based on the transaction data included in each transaction data entry that includes the respective corresponding merchant identifier; determining a winning bid of the plurality of merchant bids based on a combination of the propensity to transact for the included corresponding merchant identifier and the included bid amount; and transmitting the account identifier included in the account profile to the merchant from which the winning bid was received.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the routing of insights on targetindividuals to an entity, specifically the routing of insights to one ofa plurality of entities associated with an individual based on acombination of entity bidding and the individual's propensity forcontinued interaction with each entity.

BACKGROUND

Entities that are engaged in commerce are often interested in findingout as much information about their customers as they can. Suchinformation can be useful in earning repeat business, finding andenticing new customers, and ensuring higher customer satisfaction, allof which may lead to increased revenue and returns. For the customers,merchants and other entities that learn more about them may lead to theavailability of more attractive deals, offers, and other benefits to thecustomer, encouraging the customer to share their information with theentities. As a result, it can be beneficial to both entities and theircustomers for an entity to learn more about its customers.

However, many customers may transact with a vast number of entities. Insuch cases, there may be a significant number of entities that desire tolearn more about a customer, which the customer may be uncomfortablewith. In addition, a customer may transact with several entities veryrarely, or even just once, with little to no intention of returning tothe entity for future transactions, such as due to location, badcustomer service, etc. In such cases, there may be little advantage tothe entity learning more about the consumer. Thus, traditional methodsfor distributing insights about customers to associated entities oftenresult in a distribution of data that is far too wide for customercomfort, and result in data being distributed to entities that may findlittle to no use for such data. However, presenting insights aboutselect consumers to those most likely to benefit from them presentstechnological challenges, particularly on a large scale on tens orhundreds of thousands of consumers, particularly in an automatedfashion.

Accordingly, there is a need for a technological solution for providinginsights on customers of entities to only entities that desire suchinformation and based on the propensity for the customer to continuallyinteract with the entity, to provide greater consumer benefit and ahigher rate of return on the usage of such information.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a description of systems and methods forproviding insights based on merchant bidding. Merchants that haveinteracted with a consumer on previous transactions have the opportunityto bid on receiving insights about the consumer, such that the consumerinsights are not broadly shared, but are instead shared with a single(or other limited number) merchant bidder, as an optional feature. Thewinning merchant is identified not based purely on the bid, but also thelikelihood that the consumer will transact again with that merchant inthe future, based on their previous transactional history. As a result,only merchants where there is a high rate of return for that specificconsumer will receive the insights. In addition, the insights are sharedonly once they reach a predetermined threshold that indicates theconsumer is likely to transact soon. Thus, the methods and systemsresult in consumers being connected to merchants with whom they want totransact, that want to transact with them, and when the consumer isready to transact, providing for greater convenience and effectivenessto both consumers and merchants.

A method for providing insights based on merchant bidding includes:storing, in an account database of a processing server, an accountprofile, wherein the account profile includes at least an accountidentifier and a plurality of transaction data entries related topayment transactions, each transaction data entry including at least amerchant identifier and transaction data; receiving, by a receivingdevice of the processing server, a plurality of merchant bids, whereineach merchant bid is received from a different merchant and includes atleast a bid amount and a corresponding merchant identifier; identifying,by an analytical module of the processing server, a transaction metricbased on at least the transaction data included in each transaction dataentry stored in the account profile, wherein the transaction metric isat least a predetermined value; identifying, by the analytical module ofthe processing server, a propensity to transact for each correspondingmerchant identifier included in the plurality of merchant bids based onat least the transaction data included in each transaction data entrystored in the account profile that includes the respective correspondingmerchant identifier; determining, by a determination module of theprocessing server, a winning bid of the plurality of merchant bids basedon at least a combination of the propensity to transact for the includedcorresponding merchant identifier and the included bid amount; andelectronically transmitting, by a transmitting device of the processingserver, at least the account identifier included in the account profileto the merchant from which the winning bid was received.

A system for providing insights based on merchant bidding includes: anaccount database of a processing server configured to store an accountprofile, wherein the account profile includes at least an accountidentifier and a plurality of transaction data entries related topayment transactions, each transaction data entry including at least amerchant identifier and transaction data; a receiving device of theprocessing server configured to receive a plurality of merchant bids,wherein each merchant bid is received from a different merchant andincludes at least a bid amount and a corresponding merchant identifier;an analytical module of the processing server configured to identify atransaction metric based on at least the transaction data included ineach transaction data entry stored in the account profile, wherein thetransaction metric is at least a predetermined value, and identify apropensity to transact for each corresponding merchant identifierincluded in the plurality of merchant bids based on at least thetransaction data included in each transaction data entry stored in theaccount profile that includes the respective corresponding merchantidentifier; a determination module of the processing server configuredto determine a winning bid of the plurality of merchant bids based on atleast a combination of the propensity to transact for the includedcorresponding merchant identifier and the included bid amount; and atransmitting device of the processing server configured toelectronically transmit at least the account identifier included in theaccount profile to the merchant from which the winning bid was received.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The scope of the present disclosure is best understood from thefollowing detailed description of exemplary embodiments when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Included in the drawings arethe following figures:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a high level system architecturefor providing insights based on merchant bidding and individualpropensities to transact in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the processing server of thesystem of FIG. 1 for the providing of insights based on merchant biddingin accordance with exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for the providing ofindividual insights based on merchant bidding and transactionpropensities using the processing server of FIG. 2 in accordance withexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for facilitatingpayment through an encoded link in accordance with exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system architecture inaccordance with exemplary embodiments.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description of exemplary embodiments areintended for illustration purposes only and are, therefore, not intendedto necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Glossary of Terms

Payment Network—A system or network used for the transfer of money viathe use of cash-substitutes for thousands, millions, and even billionsof transactions during a given period. Payment networks may use avariety of different protocols and procedures in order to process thetransfer of money for various types of transactions. Transactions thatmay be performed via a payment network may include product or servicepurchases, credit purchases, debit transactions, fund transfers, accountwithdrawals, etc. Payment networks may be configured to performtransactions via cash-substitutes, which may include payment cards,letters of credit, checks, transaction accounts, etc. Examples ofnetworks or systems configured to perform as payment networks includethose operated by MasterCard®, VISA®, Discover®, American Express®,PayPal®, etc. Use of the term “payment network” herein may refer to boththe payment network as an entity, and the physical payment network, suchas the equipment, hardware, and software comprising the payment network.

Payment Rails—Infrastructure associated with a payment network used inthe processing of payment transactions and the communication oftransaction messages and other similar data between the payment networkand other entities interconnected with the payment network that handlesthousands, millions, and even billions of transactions during a givenperiod. The payment rails may be comprised of the hardware used toestablish the payment network and the interconnections between thepayment network and other associated entities, such as financialinstitutions, gateway processors, etc. In some instances, payment railsmay also be affected by software, such as via special programming of thecommunication hardware and devices that comprise the payment rails. Forexample, the payment rails may include specifically configured computingdevices that are specially configured for the routing of transactionmessages, which may be specially formatted data messages that areelectronically transmitted via the payment rails, as discussed in moredetail below.

Transaction Account—A financial account that may be used to fund atransaction, such as a checking account, savings account, creditaccount, virtual payment account, etc. A transaction account may beassociated with a consumer, which may be any suitable type of entityassociated with a payment account, which may include a person, family,company, corporation, governmental entity, etc. In some instances, atransaction account may be virtual, such as those accounts operated byPayPal®, etc.

Merchant—An entity that provides products (e.g., goods and/or services)for purchase by another entity, such as a consumer or another merchant.A merchant may be a consumer, a retailer, a wholesaler, a manufacturer,or any other type of entity that may provide products for purchase aswill be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant art. In someinstances, a merchant may have special knowledge in the goods and/orservices provided for purchase. In other instances, a merchant may nothave or require any special knowledge in offered products. In someembodiments, an entity involved in a single transaction may beconsidered a merchant. In some instances, as used herein, the term“merchant” may refer to an apparatus or device of a merchant entity.

Payment Transaction—A transaction between two entities in which money orother financial benefit is exchanged from one entity to the other. Thepayment transaction may be a transfer of funds, for the purchase ofgoods or services, for the repayment of debt, or for any other exchangeof financial benefit as will be apparent to persons having skill in therelevant art. In some instances, payment transaction may refer totransactions funded via a payment card and/or payment account, such ascredit card transactions. Such payment transactions may be processed viaan issuer, payment network, and acquirer. The process for processingsuch a payment transaction may include at least one of authorization,batching, clearing, settlement, and funding. Authorization may includethe furnishing of payment details by the consumer to a merchant, thesubmitting of transaction details (e.g., including the payment details)from the merchant to their acquirer, and the verification of paymentdetails with the issuer of the consumer's payment account used to fundthe transaction. Batching may refer to the storing of an authorizedtransaction in a batch with other authorized transactions fordistribution to an acquirer. Clearing may include the sending of batchedtransactions from the acquirer to a payment network for processing.Settlement may include the debiting of the issuer by the payment networkfor transactions involving beneficiaries of the issuer. In someinstances, the issuer may pay the acquirer via the payment network. Inother instances, the issuer may pay the acquirer directly. Funding mayinclude payment to the merchant from the acquirer for the paymenttransactions that have been cleared and settled. It will be apparent topersons having skill in the relevant art that the order and/orcategorization of the steps discussed above performed as part of paymenttransaction processing.

System for Providing Insights Based on Merchant Bidding

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for the providing of insights associatedwith an individual to one of a plurality of merchants based on merchantbidding, where a merchant is identified to receive insights based on acombination of their associated bid and the related individual'spropensity to transact with that merchant.

The system 100 may include a processing server 102. The processingserver 102, discussed in more detail below, may be configured toproviding insights to merchants 104 related to an individual 106identified as a prior customer of each of the merchants 104. Theprocessing server 102 may be configured to identify when the individual106 may be likely to transact again or otherwise meets criteria ofinterest to the merchants 104, and may provide the merchants 104 with anopportunity to bid on the receipt of insights about the individual 106,where the winning merchant 104 may be decided upon by the processingserver 102 based on a combination of their bid and the likelihood thatthe individual 106 will transact with that merchant 104.

In the system 100, an individual 106 may conduct payment transactionswith a plurality of different merchants 104. For each paymenttransaction, the individual 106 may present a payment instrument 108 toconvey payment details to the merchant 104, where the payment detailsare associated with a transaction account for which the individual 106is authorized that is used to fund the payment transaction. A merchant104 may read or otherwise receive the payment details from the paymentinstrument 108 and include the details in transaction data that issubmitted to a payment network 110 for processing of the paymenttransaction. Transaction data may be submitted directly to the paymentnetwork 110 from a merchant 104 or via one or more intermediateentities, such as acquiring financial institutions or gatewayprocessors.

The payment network 110 may receive transaction data, including paymentdetails, for each payment transaction to be processed thereby viapayment rails associated with the payment network 110. In someembodiments, transaction data may be stored in a transaction messagethat is submitted to the payment network 110 via the associated paymentrails. Transaction messages may be specially formatted data messagesthat are formatted pursuant to one or more standards governing theexchange of financial transaction messages, such as the InternationalOrganization of Standardization's ISO 8583 or 20022 standards.Transaction messages may be generated by merchants 104 or byintermediate entities through which the transaction data is transmitted,such as acquiring institutions. Each transaction message may include amessage type indicator indicative of a type of the transaction message(e.g., authorization request, authorization response, clearing record,etc.) and a plurality of data elements configured to store thetransaction data, such as a data element configured to store atransaction amount, a data element configured to store a merchantidentifier associated with the involved merchant 104, data elementsconfigured to store the payment details, etc. Transaction data that maybe stored in a transaction message or otherwise conveyed for processingof a payment transaction may include a transaction amount, transactiontime, transaction date, currency type, merchant identifier, merchantname, geographic location, issuer data, acquirer data, product data,payment details (e.g., primary account number, name, expiration date,security code, transaction counter, payment cryptogram, etc.), consumerdata, offer data, reward data, loyalty data, etc.

The payment network 110 may receive a transaction message or otherwisereceive transaction data for each transaction to be processed. Thepayment network 110 may then process each transaction using traditionalmethods and systems, which may include, for instance, forwardingauthorization requests to issuing financial institutions associated withtransaction accounts used to fund payment transactions, receivingauthorization responses therefrom, and forwarding authorizationresponses to acquiring financial institutions. As part of the processingof each payment transaction, the merchant 104 may be notified if thepayment transaction was approved or denied, and may finalize theexchange with the individual 106 accordingly.

In the system 100, the processing server 102 may receive transactiondata for each payment transaction involving the individual 106 that wasapproved and successfully processed. In some embodiments, individual 106may provide permission to the processing server 102 for the receipt oftransaction data associated therewith. In some cases, the processingserver 102 may not receive any personally identifiable informationassociated with the individual 106 when receiving transaction data. Forinstance, the payment details used in a payment transaction may bereplaced by an anonymized account identifier, which may be a hash of thepayment details or data included therein, a random or pseudo-randomvalue assigned to the related transaction account, or other suitablemeans of anonymizing or otherwise obscuring any data that may beidentifiable of the individual 106.

The processing server 102 may receive transaction data for a pluralityof payment transactions involving an individual 106 and may store thedata in an account profile, discussed in more detail below, related tothe individual 106 and the transaction account. The processing server102 may be configured to identify consumer insights for the individual106 based on the transaction data for the payment transactions involvingthe individual 106. The consumer insights may be comprised of aplurality of transaction metrics that may provide insights into theindividual's past transaction behavior and potential future transactionbehavior as a result. Transaction metrics may include, for example,propensities for the individual 106 to transact in a given time period,at a given geographic location, with a given merchant, in a givenmerchant industry, for a given transaction amount, for a given product,for a given product category, etc., or a combination thereof.

For instance, the processing server 102 may identify an individual'spropensity to spend more than $50 on sporting goods in a singletransaction in the next 30 days among other transaction metrics. Eachtransaction metric may be based on related transaction data for each ofthe payment transactions involving the individual 106. For instance, inthe above transaction metric, the propensity may be identified based onthe transaction amount of past transactions involving sporting goodsmerchants and the frequency of such transactions. For example, if theindividual 106 regularly shops at sporting goods vendors, but usuallyspends well below $50, the propensity may be low, but if the individual106 typically spends above $50 and goes to a sporting goods merchantevery three weeks, the propensity may be very high, especially if thelast such transaction was twenty days prior.

Each of the plurality of merchants 104 with whom the individual 106 hastransacted may place bids to receive insights associated with theindividual 106. Each merchant 104 may submit a bid to the processingserver 102 using a suitable communication network and method. In oneembodiment, the processing server 102 may provide an applicationprogramming interface (API) for use by the merchants 104 in submittingbids. In another embodiment, the processing server 102 may operate orotherwise be associated with a web page that is used to submit bids. Inyet another embodiment, a specialized application program may beexecuted on computing devices of merchants 104 that are used to submitbids to the processing server 102 via a suitable communication channel.Each merchant bid may include at least merchant identifier and a bidamount. The merchant identifier may be a unique identification valueassociated with the submitting merchant 104 that is used in paymenttransactions involving the merchant 104. The bid amount may be an amountof money or other currency or value that the merchant 104 is willing tospend or otherwise expend to receive the consumer insights.

In some embodiments, each merchant bid may specify a specific consumerinsight. For instance, the processing server 102 may be configured toidentify a plurality of different transaction metrics for the individual106, where merchants 104 may bid on specific transaction metrics thatare relevant to the interests of the merchant 104. For example, in theabove case, sporting goods merchants 104 may be interested in theindividual's propensity to spend over $50 in the next 30 days onsporting goods, while other merchants 104 may have no interest in suchinformation, and so the merchant bids submitted by the sporting goodsmerchants 104 may indicate the transaction metric accordingly.

The processing server 102 may receive the merchant bids and mayidentify, for each of the submitting merchants 104, the individual'spropensity to transact with the respective merchant 104. Theindividual's propensity to transaction with a merchant 104 may be basedon transaction data for payment transactions involving that merchant104, which may be identified via the associated merchant identifier(e.g., parsed from the corresponding merchant bid). In some instances,the individual's propensity to transact at each merchant 104 may havebeen previously identified as part of the identification of transactionmetrics, and may be identified accordingly. In some cases, theprocessing server 102 may identify a new or updated propensity totransact with each submitting merchant 104 when a new merchant bid isreceived from that merchant 104, regardless of previous identification(e.g., to take into account any transactions conducted by the individual106 since prior identifications of the transaction metric). In somecases, the propensity to transact with a merchant 104 may have aspecified period of time, such as a propensity to transact in the next30 days. In instances where the merchants 104 are bidding on atransaction metric that involves a specific spending amount (e.g., atleast $50), the merchant propensities may be subject to the samespending amount, such as the likelihood that the individual 106 willspend at least $50 at that merchant 104 in the next 30 days.

Once merchant bids have been received and merchant propensitiesidentified, the processing server 102 may select a winning bid of themerchant bids. The winning bad may be identified based on a combinationof at least the bid amount for each bid and that individual's propensityto transact with that merchant 104. For example, a first merchant 104may bid a large amount, but may not win the bid if the individual 106 isvery unlikely to transact with that merchant 104 again. The weighting ofeach criterion may be based on feedback received by the processingserver 102 from winning merchants 104 and from individuals 106. Forinstance, the processing server 102 may initially assign weight valuesto the bid amount and the propensity, which may be adjusted throughfeedback. For example, the processing server 102 may calculate a scorefor each merchant bid by adding the bid amount multiplied with a firstweight value to the merchant propensity multiplied with a second weightvalue, where the highest score is the winning bid, and may adjust theweight values depending on feedback received from winning merchants(e.g., success rates of provided transaction metrics). In some cases,additional criteria may be used. For instance, the processing server 102may also consider the geographic location of the individual 106 and/orthe merchant 104, consumer rating of the merchant 104, pricing for eachmerchant 104 (e.g., if a specific product is being considered), or othersuitable criteria.

The processing server 102 may electronically transmit the transactionmetric associated with the bid to the merchant 104 associated with thewinning bid (e.g., identified via their merchant identifier). Themerchant 104 may then reach out to the individual 106 as a formercustomer 106 regarding the transaction metric. For instance, in theabove example, a sporting goods merchant 104 may advertise to theindividual 106, provide an offer to the individual 106, or otherwisecommunicate with the individual 106 to entice them to transact with themerchant 104, knowing that the individual 106 is likely to spend over$50 on sporting goods very soon.

In some embodiments, the processing server 102 may distributetransaction metrics when a transaction metric reaches a predeterminedvalue or threshold. For instance, the processing server 102 may identifya score between 0 and 100 for each transaction metric, where a highernumber indicates a higher propensity with respect to the correspondingtransaction metric. For example, in the above case, a higher score mayindicate a higher likelihood that the individual 106 will spend over $50on sporting goods in the next 30 days. In some cases, the propensity maybe a percentage likelihood (e.g., the individual has a 90% chance tospend over $50 on sporting goods in the next 30 days). The processingserver 102 may distribute a transaction metric when the propensity forthe transaction metric reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. Forinstance, in the above example, the processing server 102 may distributethe individual's transaction metric regarding sporting goods to thewinning merchant 104 when the individual's propensity is over 75. Insome such instances, the processing server 102 may wait to identify awinning bid until the predetermined value is met, such as to ensure thatthe individual's updated transaction history is incorporated whenidentifying merchant propensities. In some embodiments, merchants 104may bid on a transaction metric for multiple threshold levels, such asone bid for a 50% propensity and another bid for an 80% propensity.

The methods and systems discussed herein may enable consumer insights tobe shared with merchants 104 only in cases where both the merchant 104and individual 106 are interested in each other, which may lead tohigher conversion rates than existing systems. In addition, the use ofbidding and selection of a winning bid can ensure that the individual'sinformation is not distributed to more than a select number of merchants104, which may protect consumer privacy and security, while alsoensuring that the individual's transaction metrics are only distributedto the most interested merchants 104. The use of transactionpropensities for merchants 104 may also ensure that merchants 104 willonly receive transaction metrics when there is a strong chance ofreceiving a return on such data, providing higher utility andconvenience to merchants 104.

Processing Server

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a processing server 102 in thesystem 100. It will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevantart that the embodiment of the processing server 102 illustrated in FIG.2 is provided as illustration only and may not be exhaustive to allpossible configurations of the processing server 102 suitable forperforming the functions as discussed herein. For example, the computersystem 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 and discussed in more detail below maybe a suitable configuration of the processing server 102.

The processing server 102 may include a receiving device 202. Thereceiving device 202 may be configured to receive data over one or morenetworks via one or more network protocols. In some instances, thereceiving device 202 may be configured to receive data from merchants104, payment networks 110, individuals 106, and other systems andentities via one or more communication methods, such as local areanetworks, cellular communication networks, payment rails, Bluetooth, theInternet, etc. In some embodiments, the receiving device 202 may becomprised of multiple devices, such as different receiving devices forreceiving data over different networks, such as a first receiving devicefor receiving data over a local area network and a second receivingdevice for receiving data via the Internet. The receiving device 202 mayreceive electronically transmitted data signals, where data may besuperimposed or otherwise encoded on the data signal and decoded,parsed, read, or otherwise obtained via receipt of the data signal bythe receiving device 202. In some instances, the receiving device 202may include a parsing module for parsing the received data signal toobtain the data superimposed thereon. For example, the receiving device202 may include a parser program configured to receive and transform thereceived data signal into usable input for the functions performed bythe processing device to carry out the methods and systems describedherein.

The receiving device 202 may be configured to receive data signalselectronically transmitted by merchants 104, which may be superimposedor otherwise encoded with merchant bids. Each merchant bid may includeat least a merchant identifier and bid amount, and may also includeinformation identifying a specific transaction metric to which the bidis directed, such as a unique value associated therewith. The receivingdevice 202 may also be configured to receive data signals electronicallytransmitted by payment networks 110, which may be superimposed orotherwise encoded with transaction data. In some cases, the receivingdevice 220 may receive transaction messages from the payment network 110for payment transactions, which may be electronically transmitted viathe payment rails associated therewith. In some embodiments, theprocessing server 102 may be a part of the payment network 110. In suchembodiments, the receiving device 202 may receive the transaction datavia internal communication networks of the payment network 110.

The processing server 102 may also include a communication module 204.The communication module 204 may be configured to transmit data betweenmodules, engines, databases, memories, and other components of theprocessing server 102 for use in performing the functions discussedherein. The communication module 204 may be comprised of one or morecommunication types and utilize various communication methods forcommunications within a computing device. For example, the communicationmodule 204 may be comprised of a bus, contact pin connectors, wires,etc. In some embodiments, the communication module 204 may also beconfigured to communicate between internal components of the processingserver 102 and external components of the processing server 102, such asexternally connected databases, display devices, input devices, etc. Theprocessing server 102 may also include a processing device. Theprocessing device may be configured to perform the functions of theprocessing server 102 discussed herein as will be apparent to personshaving skill in the relevant art. In some embodiments, the processingdevice may include and/or be comprised of a plurality of engines and/ormodules specially configured to perform one or more functions of theprocessing device, such as a querying module 214, analytical module 218,determination module 220, etc. As used herein, the term “module” may besoftware or hardware particularly programmed to receive an input,perform one or more processes using the input, and provides an output.The input, output, and processes performed by various modules will beapparent to one skilled in the art based upon the present disclosure.

The processing server 102 may include an account database 206. Theaccount database 206 may be configured to store a plurality of accountprofiles 208 using a suitable data storage format and schema. Theaccount database 206 may be a relational database that utilizesstructured query language for the storage, identification, modifying,updating, accessing, etc. of structured data sets stored therein. Eachaccount profile 208 may be a structured data set configured to storedata related to a transaction account use to fund electronic paymenttransactions. An account profile 208 may include at least an accountidentifier and a plurality of transaction data entries. The accountidentifier may be a unique value associated with the account profile 208and/or related transaction account for identification thereof. Each ofthe plurality of transaction data entries may be related to a paymenttransaction and include at least a merchant identifier and othertransaction data for the payment transaction.

The processing server 102 may include a merchant database 210. Themerchant database 210 may be configured to store a plurality of merchantprofiles 212 using a suitable data storage format and schema. Themerchant database 210 may be a relational database that utilizesstructured query language for the storage, identification, modifying,updating, accessing, etc. of structured data sets stored therein. Eachmerchant profile 212 may be a structured data set configured to storedata related to a merchant 104 that may be eligible for bidding ontransaction metrics. A merchant profile 212 may include at least themerchant identifier associated with the related merchant 104, and mayalso include additional data associated therewith for use in performingthe functions discussed herein. For instance, a merchant profile 212 maybe used to store merchant bids received from the related merchant 104,as identified via the associated merchant identifier.

The processing server 102 may include a querying module 216. Thequerying module 216 may be configured to execute queries on databases toidentify information. The querying module 216 may receive one or moredata values or query strings, and may execute a query string basedthereon on an indicated database, such as the account database 206, toidentify information stored therein. The querying module 216 may thenoutput the identified information to an appropriate engine or module ofthe processing server 102 as necessary. The querying module 216 may, forexample, execute a query on the account database 206 to identify anaccount profile 208 and the transaction data entries included thereinfor the identification of transaction metrics, or to execute a query onthe merchant database 210 to identify merchant bids stored in merchantprofiles 212 included therein related to a transaction metric that hasmet its threshold.

The processing server 102 may also include an analytical module 218. Theanalytical module 218 may be configured to perform analysis of data forthe processing server 102 for the performance of functions discussedherein. The analytical module 218 may receive instructions as input, mayperform the analysis as instructed, and may output results of theanalysis to another module or engine of the processing server 102. Insome instances, the input may include data to be used for the analysis.In other instances, the analytical module 218 may be configured toidentify data used for analysis. For example, the analytical module 218may be configured to analyze transaction data entries stored in anaccount profile 208 to identify transaction metrics for a transactionaccount, which may be based on the transaction data included therein. Insuch instances, the analytical module 218 may be configured to issueinstructions to the querying module 216 to query the account database206 for transaction data entries stored in a specific account profile208, such as identified via the account identifier and where transactiondata entries may be identified via merchant identifiers, merchantcategory codes, product data, etc.

The processing server 102 may also include a determination module 220.The determination module 220 may be configured to perform determinationsfor the processing server 102 in accomplishing the functions discussedherein. The determination module 220 may receive instructions as input,may perform determinations as instructed, and may output results of theanalysis to another module or engine of the processing server 102. Insome instances, the input may include data to be used for thedetermination. In other instances, the determination module 220 may beconfigured to identify data used for determinations. The determinationmodule 220 may, for example, be configured to determine a winning bid ofa plurality of merchant bids for a transaction metric based on at leastthe bid amount included in each merchant bid and the propensity for theassociated individual 106 to transact with the related merchant 104,such as may be identified in the transaction metrics in the relatedaccount profile 208 and/or by the analytical module 218. Thedetermination module 220 may also be configured to determine whentransaction metrics have reached predetermined values or thresholds,such as based on transaction metrics stored in account profiles 208 andrelated predetermined values or thresholds, which may be stored with thetransaction metrics or may be stored separately, such as in a memory 224of the processing server 102.

The processing server 102 may also include a transmitting device 222.The transmitting device 222 may be configured to transmit data over oneor more networks via one or more network protocols. In some instances,the transmitting device 222 may be configured to transmit data tomerchants 104, payment networks 110, and other entities via one or morecommunication methods, such as local area networks, cellularcommunication networks, payment rails, Bluetooth, radio frequency, theInternet, etc. In some embodiments, the transmitting device 222 may becomprised of multiple devices, such as different transmitting devicesfor transmitting data over different networks, such as a firsttransmitting device for transmitting data over a local area network anda second transmitting device for transmitting data via the Internet. Thetransmitting device 222 may electronically transmit data signals thathave data superimposed that may be parsed by a receiving computingdevice. In some instances, the transmitting device 222 may include oneor more modules for superimposing, encoding, or otherwise formattingdata into data signals suitable for transmission.

The transmitting device 222 may be configured to electronically transmitdata signals to merchants 104, which may be superimposed or otherwiseencoded with transaction metrics and/or additional transaction accountinformation, such as an account identifier for a transaction account forwhich the merchant 104 has won a bid. The transmitting device 222 mayalso be configured to electronically transmit data signals to paymentnetworks 110, which may be superimposed or otherwise encoded withtransaction data requests, such as to request transaction data for anindividual 106 for which transaction data is needed for theidentification of transaction metrics.

The processing server 102 may also include a memory 224. The memory 224may be configured to store data for use by the processing server 102 inperforming the functions discussed herein, such as public and privatekeys, symmetric keys, etc. The memory 224 may be configured to storedata using suitable data formatting methods and schema and may be anysuitable type of memory, such as read-only memory, random access memory,etc. The memory 224 may include, for example, encryption keys andalgorithms, communication protocols and standards, data formattingstandards and protocols, program code for modules and applicationprograms of the processing device, and other data that may be suitablefor use by the processing server 102 in the performance of the functionsdisclosed herein as will be apparent to persons having skill in therelevant art. In some embodiments, the memory 224 may be comprised of ormay otherwise include a relational database that utilizes structuredquery language for the storage, identification, modifying, updating,accessing, etc. of structured data sets stored therein.

Process for Delivering Insights Based on Merchant Bids

FIG. 3 illustrates a process 300 executed by the processing server 102for the delivering of insights related to an individual's transactionmetrics based on merchant bids submitted by a plurality of merchants 104with whom the individual 106 previously transacted.

In step 302, the receiving device 202 of the processing server 102 mayreceive registration information and merchant bids from a plurality ofdifferent merchants 104. Registration information may include at leastthe merchant identifier associated with the respective merchant 104 andone or more account identifiers related to transaction accounts thathave transacted with the respective merchant 104. In some instances, themerchant identifier may be supplied while the account identifiers may beidentified via the querying module 216 of the processing server 102executing queries on the account profiles 208 in the account database206 to identify transaction accounts that include transactions involvingthe respective merchant 104 based on the merchant identifier. Themerchant bids may each include the merchant identifier and a bid amount,and in some instances may also include a transaction metric or otherinformation identifying thereof, to which the merchant bid is directed.The merchant bids and other merchant information may be stored incorresponding merchant profiles 212 in the merchant database 210 of theprocessing server 102 via queries executed by the querying module 216.

In step 304, the receiving device 202 may receive a new transactionmessage for a payment transaction processed by a payment network 110.The transaction message may be formatted pursuant to one or morestandards, such as the ISO 8583 or 20022 standards, and may be receivedvia payment rails associated with the payment network 110. Thetransaction message may include data elements configured to store atleast an account identifier, a merchant identifier, and additionaltransaction data. The received transaction message may be stored in anaccount profile 208 that includes the account identifier stored in thetransaction message via a query executed on the account database 206 bythe querying module 216.

In step 306, the analytical module 218 of the processing server 102 maycalculate new transaction metrics for the account profile 208 in whichthe received transaction message was stored. The transaction metrics maybe calculated based on the transaction data entries stored in theaccount profile 208, including the transaction data entry for the newlyreceived transaction message. In some instances, only transactionmetrics related to the new payment transaction may be updated. Forinstance, in some cases, if the payment transaction is with a merchantdealing in jewelry, the transaction metrics for propensities for therelated individual 106 to purchase sporting goods may be unaffected.

In step 308, the determination module 220 of the processing server 102may determine if any of the updated transaction metrics meet a triggervalue, where the trigger value may be stored in the correspondingaccount profile 208 or may be stored elsewhere in the processing server102, such as the memory 224. If no trigger value has been met by anyupdated transaction metric, then the process 300 may return to step 304where new transaction messages involving the account profile 208 may beawaited.

If a trigger value has been met, then, in step 310, the analyticalmodule 218 of the processing server 102 may identify merchantpropensities for the account profile 208 for each of the merchants 104that submitted a merchant bid for the related transaction metric. Thequerying module 216 may execute queries on the merchant database 210 toidentify merchant profiles 212 that include a merchant bid submitted forthe transaction metric that met the trigger value, and may then executequeries on the account profile 208 to identify transaction data entriesrelated to payment transactions involving each identified merchant 104based on their corresponding merchant identifier. The analytical module218 may then identify, for each merchant 104, a propensity for theindividual 106 related to the transaction account to transact with therespective merchant 104 based on the transaction data. In someinstances, the propensity may be specific to the transaction metric,such as in the above example where the propensity may be the propensityfor the individual 106 to spend over $50 at the merchant 104 in the next30 days when the transaction metric that met the trigger value was apropensity to spend over $50 on sporting goods in the next 30 days.

In step 312, the determination module 220 of the processing server 102may determine a winning bid of each of the merchant bids submitted forthe transaction metric. The winning bid may be based on at least the bidamount included in each submitted merchant bid and the merchantpropensity identified for the corresponding merchant 104. In step 314,the transmitting device 222 of the processing server 102 mayelectronically transmit at least the account identifier for the accountprofile 208 for the transaction metric that met the trigger value to themerchant 104 that submitted the winning bid. The merchant 104 may thencontact the individual 106 as a prior customer of the merchant 104 withthe knowledge of the individual's propensity to transact.

Exemplary Method for Providing Insights Based on Merchant Bidding

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for the providing of insights based onconsumer transaction activity to one of a plurality of merchants basedon a combination of bid amounts and the consumer's propensity totransact at each merchant.

In step 402, an account profile (e.g., account profile 208) may bestored in an account database (e.g., the account database 206) of aprocessing server (e.g., the processing server 102), wherein the accountprofile includes at least an account identifier and a plurality oftransaction data entries related to payment transactions, eachtransaction data entry including at least a merchant identifier andtransaction data. In step 404, a plurality of merchant bids may bereceived by a receiving device (e.g., the receiving device 202) of theprocessing server, wherein each merchant bid is received from adifferent merchant (e.g., merchant 104) and includes at least a bidamount and a corresponding merchant identifier.

In step 406, a transaction metric may be identified by an analyticalmodule (e.g., the analytical module 218) of the processing server basedon at least the transaction data included in each transaction data entrystored in the account profile, wherein the transaction metric is atleast a predetermined value. In step 408, a propensity to transact foreach corresponding merchant identifier included in the plurality ofmerchant bids may be identified by the analytical module of theprocessing server based on at least the transaction data included ineach transaction data entry stored in the account profile that includesthe respective corresponding merchant identifier.

In step 410, a winning bid of the plurality of merchant bids may bedetermined by a determination module (e.g., the determination module220) of the processing server based on at least a combination of thepropensity to transact for the included corresponding merchantidentifier and the included bid amount. In step 412, at least theaccount identifier included in the account profile may be electronicallytransmitted by a transmitting device (e.g., the transmitting device 222)of the processing server to the merchant from which the winning bid wasreceived.

In one embodiment, the method 400 may further include receiving, by thereceiving device of the processing server, a registration message fromeach of the different merchants, wherein the registration messageincludes at least the account identifier. In a further embodiment, theregistration message may further include an indication of thetransaction metric. In another further embodiment, the registrationmessage may further include the predetermined value.

In some embodiments, the account identifier may be at least one of: atransaction account number, e-mail address, username, telephone number,and identification number. In one embodiment, each transaction dataentry may further include a transaction date, and the propensity totransact for each corresponding merchant identifier may be further basedon the transaction date included in each transaction data entry thatincludes the corresponding merchant identifier. In some embodiments, ifthe transaction metric is not greater than or equal to the predeterminedvalue, the method 400 may further include: receiving, by the receivingdevice of the processing server, a new transaction data entry, whereinthe new transaction data entry includes transaction data; andrecalculating, by the analytical module of the processing server, thetransaction metric based on at least the transaction data included inthe new transaction data entry, wherein the recalculated transactionmetric is greater than or equal to the predetermined value.

Computer System Architecture

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system 500 in which embodiments of thepresent disclosure, or portions thereof, may be implemented ascomputer-readable code. For example, the processing server 102 of FIG. 1may be implemented in the computer system 500 using hardware, software,firmware, non-transitory computer readable media having instructionsstored thereon, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in oneor more computer systems or other processing systems. Hardware,software, or any combination thereof may embody modules and componentsused to implement the methods of FIGS. 3 and 4.

If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commerciallyavailable processing platform configured by executable software code tobecome a specific purpose computer or a special purpose device (e.g.,programmable logic array, application-specific integrated circuit,etc.). A person having ordinary skill in the art may appreciate thatembodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be practiced withvarious computer system configurations, including multi-coremultiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, computerslinked or clustered with distributed functions, as well as pervasive orminiature computers that may be embedded into virtually any device. Forinstance, at least one processor device and a memory may be used toimplement the above described embodiments.

A processor unit or device as discussed herein may be a singleprocessor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof. Processordevices may have one or more processor “cores.” The terms “computerprogram medium,” “non-transitory computer readable medium,” and“computer usable medium” as discussed herein are used to generally referto tangible media such as a removable storage unit 518, a removablestorage unit 522, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 512.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in terms ofthis example computer system 500. After reading this description, itwill become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how toimplement the present disclosure using other computer systems and/orcomputer architectures. Although operations may be described as asequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed inparallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and withprogram code stored locally or remotely for access by single ormulti-processor machines. In addition, in some embodiments the order ofoperations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of thedisclosed subject matter.

Processor device 504 may be a special purpose or a general purposeprocessor device specifically configured to perform the functionsdiscussed herein. The processor device 504 may be connected to acommunications infrastructure 506, such as a bus, message queue,network, multi-core message-passing scheme, etc. The network may be anynetwork suitable for performing the functions as disclosed herein andmay include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), awireless network (e.g., WiFi), a mobile communication network, asatellite network, the Internet, fiber optic, coaxial cable, infrared,radio frequency (RF), or any combination thereof. Other suitable networktypes and configurations will be apparent to persons having skill in therelevant art. The computer system 500 may also include a main memory 508(e.g., random access memory, read-only memory, etc.), and may alsoinclude a secondary memory 510. The secondary memory 510 may include thehard disk drive 512 and a removable storage drive 514, such as a floppydisk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flashmemory, etc.

The removable storage drive 514 may read from and/or write to theremovable storage unit 518 in a well-known manner. The removable storageunit 518 may include a removable storage media that may be read by andwritten to by the removable storage drive 514. For example, if theremovable storage drive 514 is a floppy disk drive or universal serialbus port, the removable storage unit 518 may be a floppy disk orportable flash drive, respectively. In one embodiment, the removablestorage unit 518 may be non-transitory computer readable recordingmedia.

In some embodiments, the secondary memory 510 may include alternativemeans for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loadedinto the computer system 500, for example, the removable storage unit522 and an interface 520. Examples of such means may include a programcartridge and cartridge interface (e.g., as found in video gamesystems), a removable memory chip (e.g., EEPROM, PROM, etc.) andassociated socket, and other removable storage units 522 and interfaces520 as will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant art.

Data stored in the computer system 500 (e.g., in the main memory 508and/or the secondary memory 510) may be stored on any type of suitablecomputer readable media, such as optical storage (e.g., a compact disc,digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.) or magnetic tape storage(e.g., a hard disk drive). The data may be configured in any type ofsuitable database configuration, such as a relational database, astructured query language (SQL) database, a distributed database, anobject database, etc. Suitable configurations and storage types will beapparent to persons having skill in the relevant art.

The computer system 500 may also include a communications interface 524.The communications interface 524 may be configured to allow software anddata to be transferred between the computer system 500 and externaldevices. Exemplary communications interfaces 524 may include a modem, anetwork interface (e.g., an Ethernet card), a communications port, aPCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via thecommunications interface 524 may be in the form of signals, which may beelectronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals as will beapparent to persons having skill in the relevant art. The signals maytravel via a communications path 526, which may be configured to carrythe signals and may be implemented using wire, cable, fiber optics, aphone line, a cellular phone link, a radio frequency link, etc.

The computer system 500 may further include a display interface 502. Thedisplay interface 502 may be configured to allow data to be transferredbetween the computer system 500 and external display 530. Exemplarydisplay interfaces 502 may include high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI), digital visual interface (DVI), video graphics array (VGA), etc.The display 530 may be any suitable type of display for displaying datatransmitted via the display interface 502 of the computer system 500,including a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, liquid crystal display(LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) display, capacitive touch display,thin-film transistor (TFT) display, etc.

Computer program medium and computer usable medium may refer tomemories, such as the main memory 508 and secondary memory 510, whichmay be memory semiconductors (e.g., DRAMs, etc.). These computer programproducts may be means for providing software to the computer system 500.Computer programs (e.g., computer control logic) may be stored in themain memory 508 and/or the secondary memory 510. Computer programs mayalso be received via the communications interface 524. Such computerprograms, when executed, may enable computer system 500 to implement thepresent methods as discussed herein. In particular, the computerprograms, when executed, may enable processor device 504 to implementthe methods illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4, as discussed herein.Accordingly, such computer programs may represent controllers of thecomputer system 500. Where the present disclosure is implemented usingsoftware, the software may be stored in a computer program product andloaded into the computer system 500 using the removable storage drive514, interface 520, and hard disk drive 512, or communications interface524.

The processor device 504 may comprise one or more modules or enginesconfigured to perform the functions of the computer system 500. Each ofthe modules or engines may be implemented using hardware and, in someinstances, may also utilize software, such as corresponding to programcode and/or programs stored in the main memory 508 or secondary memory510. In such instances, program code may be compiled by the processordevice 504 (e.g., by a compiling module or engine) prior to execution bythe hardware of the computer system 500. For example, the program codemay be source code written in a programming language that is translatedinto a lower level language, such as assembly language or machine code,for execution by the processor device 504 and/or any additional hardwarecomponents of the computer system 500. The process of compiling mayinclude the use of lexical analysis, preprocessing, parsing, semanticanalysis, syntax-directed translation, code generation, codeoptimization, and any other techniques that may be suitable fortranslation of program code into a lower level language suitable forcontrolling the computer system 500 to perform the functions disclosedherein. It will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant artthat such processes result in the computer system 500 being a speciallyconfigured computer system 500 uniquely programmed to perform thefunctions discussed above.

Techniques consistent with the present disclosure provide, among otherfeatures, systems and methods for providing insights based on merchantbidding. While various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed system andmethod have been described above it should be understood that they havebeen presented for purposes of example only, not limitations. It is notexhaustive and does not limit the disclosure to the precise formdisclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teachings or may be acquired from practicing of the disclosure,without departing from the breadth or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing insights based on merchantbidding, comprising: communicating, by a receiving device of aprocessing server, with specialized infrastructure associated with apayment network, and receiving therefrom payment transaction informationassociated with plurality of processed payment transactions; storing, inan account database of the processing server, an account profile,wherein the account profile includes at least an account identifier anda plurality of transaction data entries related to the plurality ofprocessed payment transactions, each transaction data entry includingrespective payment transaction information received from the paymentnetwork including at least a merchant identifier and transaction data;receiving, by the receiving device of the processing server, a pluralityof merchant bids, wherein each merchant bid is received from a differentmerchant and includes at least a bid amount and a corresponding merchantidentifier; identifying, by an analytical module of the processingserver, a transaction metric based on at least the transaction dataincluded in each transaction data entry stored in the account profile,wherein the transaction metric is at least a predetermined value;identifying, by the analytical module of the processing server, apropensity to transact for each corresponding merchant identifierincluded in the plurality of merchant bids based on at least thetransaction data included in each transaction data entry stored in theaccount profile that includes the respective corresponding merchantidentifier; determining, by a determination module of the processingserver, a winning bid of the plurality of merchant bids based on atleast one of (1) a score that is determined on a basis of the propensityto transact for the included corresponding merchant identifier and theincluded bid amount, (2) a weighting of the propensity to transact forthe corresponding merchant identifier and a weighting of the bid amount;and electronically transmitting, by a transmitting device of theprocessing server, at least the account identifier included in theaccount profile to the merchant from which the winning bid was received.2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by thereceiving device of the processing server, a registration message fromeach of the different merchants, wherein the registration messageincludes at least the account identifier.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the registration message further includes an indication of thetransaction metric.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the registrationmessage further includes the predetermined value.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the account identifier is at least one of: a transactionaccount number, e-mail address, username, telephone number, andidentification number.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein eachtransaction data entry further includes a transaction date, and thepropensity to transact for each corresponding merchant identifier isfurther based on the transaction date included in each transaction dataentry that includes the corresponding merchant identifier.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein, if the transaction metric is not greater than orequal to the predetermined value, the method further comprises:receiving, by the receiving device of the processing server, a newtransaction data entry, wherein the new transaction data entry includestransaction data; and recalculating, by the analytical module of theprocessing server, the transaction metric based on at least thetransaction data included in the new transaction data entry, wherein therecalculated transaction metric is greater than or equal to thepredetermined value.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, by the receiving device of the processing server, a set ofmerchant bids from a same merchant, wherein each merchant bid in the setof merchant bids has a different propensity to transact condition.
 9. Asystem for providing insights based on merchant bidding, comprising: areceiving device of the processing server configured to communicate withspecialized infrastructure associated with a payment network, andreceive therefrom payment transaction information associated withplurality of processed payment transactions; an account database of theprocessing server configured to store an account profile, wherein theaccount profile includes at least an account identifier and a pluralityof transaction data entries related to the plurality of processedpayment transactions, each transaction data entry including respectivepayment transaction information received from the payment networkincluding at least a merchant identifier and transaction data; ananalytical module of the processing server; a determination module ofthe processing server; and a transmitting device of the processingserver, wherein the receiving device of the processing server is furtherconfigured to receive a plurality of merchant bids, wherein eachmerchant bid is received from a different merchant and includes at leasta bid amount and a corresponding merchant identifier; the analyticalmodule of the processing server is configured to identify a transactionmetric based on at least the transaction data included in eachtransaction data entry stored in the account profile, wherein thetransaction metric is at least a predetermined value, and identify apropensity to transact for each corresponding merchant identifierincluded in the plurality of merchant bids based on at least thetransaction data included in each transaction data entry stored in theaccount profile that includes the respective corresponding merchantidentifier; the determination module of the processing server isconfigured to determine a winning bid of the plurality of merchant bidsbased on at least one of (1) a score that is determined on a basis ofthe propensity to transact for the included corresponding merchantidentifier and the included bid amount, and (2) a weighting of thepropensity to transact for the corresponding merchant identifier and aweighting of the bid amount; and the transmitting device of theprocessing server is configured to electronically transmit at least theaccount identifier included in the account profile to the merchant fromwhich the winning bid was received.
 10. The system of claim 9, whereinthe receiving device of the processing server is further configured toreceive a registration message from each of the different merchants,wherein the registration message includes at least the accountidentifier.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the registration messagefurther includes an indication of the transaction metric.
 12. The systemof claim 10, wherein the registration message further includes thepredetermined value.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the accountidentifier is at least one of: a transaction account number, e-mailaddress, username, telephone number, and identification number.
 14. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein each transaction data entry further includesa transaction date, and the propensity to transact for eachcorresponding merchant identifier is further based on the transactiondate included in each transaction data entry that includes thecorresponding merchant identifier.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein,if the transaction metric is not greater than or equal to thepredetermined value, the receiving device of the processing server isfurther configured to receive a new transaction data entry, wherein thenew transaction data entry includes transaction data, and the analyticalmodule of the processing server further configured to identify thetransaction metric based on at least the transaction data included inthe new transaction data entry, wherein the recalculated transactionmetric is greater than or equal to the predetermined value.
 16. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the receiving device of the processing serveris further configured to receive a set of merchant bids from a samemerchant, wherein each merchant bid in the set of merchant bids has adifferent propensity to transact condition.